Jesus gives great care to ensure that citizens of His kingdom understand that we will be different from earthly kingdoms in many ways. Foremost, is how we treat and relate to one another. It pleases our King that we prefer one another and show humility to each other.
When Paul writes to the Romans, Christians who lived in the capital city, gentiles who grew up subjugating their foes under their feet, he writes this:
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10 ESV).
Love one another. But look at that next phrase: “Outdo one another in showing honor.” What a concept, not only for the ancient Romans who subdued the world, but for rugged Americans who take sovereignty from kings and give it to the individual.
Can you imagine living in a world where everyone competed to show more honor than the next person? What would it be like when all men are trying to outdo each other in showing honor?
Well, we may never see it in the world. Satan has such a grasp over the hearts of men, that the men of the world will always strive to seek and demand honor from others. But in the kingdom that we are part of, we get a taste of what it must be like to live in a special, heavenly realm while living on the earth among evil men.
We can live the kingdom life that is different from the way that human nature plays out in the hearts of men. So, what does this honor that we compete to show look like?
“And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-26 ESV).
We can outdo each other in honor by finding ways to serve each other. When we seek honor, we seek the service of others. But when we seek to outdo each other in showing honor, we will seek ways to lay down our lives for each other.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 ESV).
We compete to outdo one another in showing honor by looking out for the interest of each other. Boy, does this run counter to our “Me” culture where getting everything that I am entitled to is the norm. But citizens of Jesus’ kingdom will always be looking out for each other’s interests as well as our own.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 ESV).
To outdo one another in honor, we must be people who are defined by forgiveness. In what way can we better show honor than when we forgive each other? And forgiveness is given when someone wrongs us, when we are in the right and they are in the wrong. When we suffer loss unjustly at the hands of someone else.
True forgiveness is hard. It is more than overlooking a trespass that someone commits against us inadvertently or without malice. True forgiveness comes when we look someone who wanted to hurt us in the eyes and say, “I forgive you and will not hold this against you anymore.” Can we compete with one another to show this kind of forgiving honor to each other? What peace would be ours if we all could do this.
The kingdom of Jesus should be full of people who are trying to compete to outdo each other in showing honor. If we are a people who strive to do this, the greater honor we show will be the honor to our King who wants His people to be this kind of citizen. More than just citizens, but brothers and sisters who love each other with a great and enduring love.
This love mirrors the love our Savior showed us and left as an example of how we are to honor each other.
In my daily Bible reading, I am in 1 Chronicles where David is making preparations for Solomon to build the Temple. He had just given a great sum for its construction and the people of Israel gave in abundance to the work as well.
This great outpouring of generosity to the project moved David and this is what he said:
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” (1 Chronicles 29:14 ESV).
When we realize that all we have is a gift from God, and that He owns everything, it becomes the first step in keeping our possessions in proper perspective.
Before you post your biblical views, ask yourself:
1. Is this truthful?
2. Will this edify or tear down?
3. Is this useful or will it provoke empty discourse?
4. Am I posting this for God's glory or for mine?
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1 ESV).
In my daily Bible reading, I am in 2 Chronicles where Solomon is dedicating the newly built temple to the Lord. If you remember, his father, King David, wanted to build the temple but because he was a man of war, God said that his son would build the temple.
So, David donated tremendous wealth and materials, along with the temple plans, to be used by Solomon. Now, the temple construction is complete and King Solomon is giving the dedication to the temple. He harkens back to the time when David wished to build the temple. This is what he said:
“But the LORD said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.” (2 Chronicles 6:8 ESV).
What a powerful and comforting verse that tells us about the character of our God. How many times do we want to do something for God with all of our hearts, but circumstances dictate that it will not be so?
Perhaps we wish to give generously to help those who are spreading the Word, or to ease the affliction of our brethren, but the cash just never seems to be there?
How many times do we wish for the time to devote ourselves to the study of His word, only to have to work in the godly responsibilities of family and work that seem to leave less than we want for the kind of in-depth study we yearn for?
Whatever the good and holy things we purpose in our hearts to glorify God with, sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we just cannot do what is in our hearts.
But our verse about David here in 2 Chronicles reminds us that our God is not only able to see what we do for Him, but He also knows our hearts. And Just like with David, our perfect and gracious God says to us, “You did well that it was in your heart.”
In my daily Bible reading, I came across a passage familiar with most of us. And as I read this passage, I tried to find ways to make an application for myself. There are a couple of verses in the New Testament that encourage us not to overlook the lessons of the Old Testament, even though we do not live under the old covenant in any way.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 ESV).
And
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 ESV).
What these passages tell us is that the character of God is eternally consistent. What He hated on the day of creation He hates now, and what He loved on the day of creation, He loves now. And just as He expected men to live by the law He had for them then, He expects men to live by the law He has for us now.
So, in my reading, I am at a passage where the good king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, has agreed with the evil king of Israel, Ahab, to go to war with him against his enemy… with one caveat:
“But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” (2 Chronicles 18:6 ESV).
Ahab had asked the favor from the false prophets in the land, but the king who worshiped the true God wasn’t about to do a thing without seeking counsel from his God. Here’s where we can make an application:
There are many tough choices that we will face in life. Do we have the spirit of Ahab who sought the wisdom of the world, or do we have the spirit of Jehoshaphat who always turned to the Lord first? Not when things go bad and there is no place left to go, but do we turn to God in prayer from the beginning to seek His wisdom and favor?
Do we baptize ourselves in the Word to prepare our hearts with the wisdom it provides? Do we weigh the choices we need to make which will bring glory to our Master?
Advice from the world is a dime a dozen. You can find it in books, on YouTube, and even among people we know and trust. How judicious are we in seeking the Lord before we make our decisions or before we take an action?
Jehoshaphat reminds us that we must be people of the One true God who looks to Him to give us wisdom and comfort in all of the ways of our lives. We remember Him when life is good and we remember Him when life is tough.